A recent investigation by The Straits Times has revealed that GemBet, an offshore betting operator, allegedly utilized Singapore-registered companies to facilitate deposits and withdrawals via PayNow for local customers during the FIFA World Cup 2026. The Curaçao-licensed company reportedly accepted bets through websites associated with Singapore before directing users to its main platform. Customers were able to fund their accounts using cryptocurrencies or PayNow, processing transactions through three firms established between March and May 2026.
These firms include a manpower agency, a cleaning service, and a wholesale trader, all of which are located at Housing Board residential addresses. Inquiry visits by representatives of The Straits Times raised substantial doubts regarding these addresses' legitimacy, as some residents were unaware of the businesses, while one address was linked to a full-time national serviceman.
GemBet appears to directly engage Singaporean gamblers, marketing itself as a local betting brand that relocated to Malaysia in 2022. It promotes PayNow and DBS Bank as payment methods and has partnerships with notable football figures and clubs, including Luka Modrić as a brand ambassador and Athletic Bilbao as its betting partner for Southeast Asia.
When approached by The Straits Times, a customer service representative claimed that the platform operates legally for Singaporean users and described the local firms involved in PayNow transactions as legitimate affiliates. However, the operator did not disclose the number of Singaporean customers or the betting volumes before suspending the reporter's account.
These discoveries arrive at a time when Singapore is intensifying its efforts to combat illegal online gambling. Earlier this month, police apprehended 17 individuals in coordinated raids across various locations, confiscating over SG$720,000 in cash, along with mobile devices, computers, and other gambling-related materials.
